[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 63 (Monday, May 18, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE TOWN OF STUYVESANT CELEBRATES 175 YEARS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 18, 1998

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I have always been proud of the heritage 
and physical beauty of the 22nd Congressional District of New York 
which I have the privilege of representing. It is for this reason, to 
savor the history and character of the picturesque towns and counties, 
that I return home every weekend.
  We often forget, Mr. Speaker, that the real America is not 
Washington, but the small towns and villages where real people live and 
work. I would like to talk about one such town today.
  The Town of Stuyvesant, New York in Columbia County will be 
commemorating 175 years of existence since they separated from the 
nearby Township of Kinderhook back in 1823. Mr. Speaker, Stuyvesant is 
one of the many beautiful river towns that border the majestic Hudson 
River in New York and as a river town over that long timeframe, it has 
endured many transformations. And in many ways, those changes reflect 
the changes in the river, from the evolving trade involving furs, 
fishing, mills and ice harvesting, to a bustling brick industry and at 
a stop along the commercial channel running from New York City to 
Albany, Stuyvesant has adapted to the times. Yet make no mistake, even 
as times have changed and industry has changed, the people from 
Stuyvesant and the nearby towns in Columbia and Greene Counties are 
characterized by their connection to this wonderful river.
  But not everyone around the country has the opportunity to celebrate 
and rejoice in what the people of Stuyvesant can this weekend. Even 
though things have changed there, like everywhere else, there is 
something special that remains an unmistakable part of the town's 
character that not enough people throughout the country can still boast 
of today. That something is the distinct small town charm that grips 
the town and the good citizens of the Township of Stuyvesant. It can be 
seen at the church halls and the fire department, at the veterans posts 
and across the streets and fields where children play and farmers work. 
And that camaraderie can be seen in the way the people of Stuyvesant 
and their local leaders are again focusing on their trusty neighbor, 
the Hudson, and their miles of waterfront as a vital resource and 
gateway to another new era for the town.
  Yes, Mr. Speaker, that small town camaraderie and neighborly 
hospitality is one thing that thankfully hasn't changed. But I'll tell 
you about another thing. It's the pride and values of the citizenry. 
These are the things that I admire most about the towns like Stuyvesant 
throughout my congressional district and that I'll miss most about the 
people I've had the privilege of serving. And this weekend, Mr. 
Speaker, on May 16th and 17th, the residents of Stuyvesant will take 
part in day long festivities commemorating their heritage. There will 
be historical sites and artifacts on display, a play, parades and a 
spectacular fireworks display to enjoy with friends and neighbors and 
where they can give thinks for the town and community they share.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the good people of Stuyvesant for their 
commitment to their home and hard work in organizing this memorial to 
their heritage. I ask that you and all members of the House join me in 
paying tribute to them on the occasion of the town's 175th birthday and 
in wishing them many more years of good fortune and prosperity 
alongside the Hudson River in one of the most beautiful river valleys 
anywhere in this world.

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